WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.680 Hello, Kindreds. Welcome to our Thanksgiving 00:00:03.680 --> 00:00:09.640 podcast for 2025, A Grateful Heart. The following 00:00:09.640 --> 00:00:13.960 excerpt is taken from A Great Day to Be Alive, 00:00:14.320 --> 00:00:18.120 written by Dr. Christopher Chenoweth, who now 00:00:18.120 --> 00:00:22.359 resides in Heaven. He was the author of Daily 00:00:22.359 --> 00:00:29.079 Inspiration. He writes, Today, when I woke up, 00:00:29.120 --> 00:00:33.780 I realized something powerful. This is the best 00:00:33.780 --> 00:00:38.640 day of my life so far. There were times I wasn't 00:00:38.640 --> 00:00:42.579 sure I'd make it to this moment, but here I am. 00:00:43.740 --> 00:00:47.159 And because I'm here, I choose to celebrate. 00:00:48.280 --> 00:00:51.840 I celebrate the life I've lived, the achievements, 00:00:52.140 --> 00:00:55.280 the blessings, and yes, even the challenges. 00:00:55.710 --> 00:01:00.369 because they helped shape who I am today. I will 00:01:00.369 --> 00:01:04.469 go through this day with my head held high and 00:01:04.469 --> 00:01:09.250 a grateful heart. I'll stop to appreciate the 00:01:09.250 --> 00:01:12.909 seemingly small gifts from God. The warmth of 00:01:12.909 --> 00:01:17.109 the sun, the whisper of the breeze, the beauty 00:01:17.109 --> 00:01:22.250 of trees and flowers, the joyful sound of birds. 00:01:23.430 --> 00:01:26.930 None of these simple miracles will pass me by 00:01:26.930 --> 00:01:31.969 unnoticed. Today I will share my excitement for 00:01:31.969 --> 00:01:36.629 life with others. I'll make someone smile. I'll 00:01:36.629 --> 00:01:40.829 do something kind for a stranger. I'll give a 00:01:40.829 --> 00:01:45.250 genuine compliment to someone who needs it. I'll 00:01:45.250 --> 00:01:49.609 remind a child how special they are. I'll tell 00:01:49.609 --> 00:01:53.049 someone I love just how much they mean to me. 00:01:53.739 --> 00:01:57.640 Today I stop worrying about what I don't have, 00:01:58.099 --> 00:02:01.819 and instead I'll start being grateful for all 00:02:01.819 --> 00:02:06.099 that God has already given me. I'll remind myself 00:02:06.099 --> 00:02:10.500 that worrying is just wasted energy. God is in 00:02:10.500 --> 00:02:14.960 control, and God's divine plan is unfolding perfectly. 00:02:15.800 --> 00:02:20.580 Everything will be okay. And tonight, before 00:02:20.580 --> 00:02:24.370 I go to bed, I'll step outside. I'll look up 00:02:24.370 --> 00:02:27.310 at the stars and the moon with awe and wonder, 00:02:28.069 --> 00:02:31.969 and I will praise God for such magnificent gifts. 00:02:32.729 --> 00:02:36.310 When I lay my head on my pillow, I will thank 00:02:36.310 --> 00:02:40.569 God for giving me the best day of my life, and 00:02:40.569 --> 00:02:44.449 I will rest peacefully like a content child, 00:02:44.949 --> 00:02:49.909 eager and expectant, because I know Tomorrow 00:02:49.909 --> 00:02:53.569 is going to be the best day of my life again. 00:02:55.229 --> 00:02:59.530 Friends, write it on your heart and watch hope 00:02:59.530 --> 00:03:04.370 rise in the eyes of another. Tell them, today 00:03:04.370 --> 00:03:07.729 is my favorite day and thanks for being part 00:03:07.729 --> 00:03:14.840 of it. In closing, let us pray. Dear God, I no 00:03:14.840 --> 00:03:18.000 longer live for imagined moments in the past 00:03:18.000 --> 00:03:22.199 or future. I live in the now. I live in the present 00:03:22.199 --> 00:03:26.719 moment. I love my life. I am grateful for my 00:03:26.719 --> 00:03:32.060 life. This is the best day of my life ever. In 00:03:32.060 --> 00:03:46.550 Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thanks for being you. 00:03:47.090 --> 00:03:50.789 Don't miss a message. Follow and subscribe to 00:03:50.789 --> 00:03:54.250 Reverend Patty's Inspiration Station podcast 00:03:54.250 --> 00:03:58.129 and sign up for free for the Sacred Walk Home 00:03:58.129 --> 00:04:02.210 newsletter. Visit sacredwalkhome .com for more 00:04:02.210 --> 00:04:06.930 information. Until next time, from one spiritual 00:04:06.930 --> 00:04:10.729 gardener to another, plant you and dig you later. 00:04:11.050 --> 00:04:11.509 Amen.